Rediscovering Libraries | Two Sitting Ducks

Last Saturday I finally made my way to the local community library – something I’ve been meaning to do for almost two years, since we last moved house.

It’s actually been a very long time since I last stepped into a public library. I don’t think I’ve been an active library user since I lived at home with my parents, so that would be about 10 years now. In the intervening years, I’ve never felt like I was going to be living in the location long enough to warrant being bothered to sign up as a member.

Now though, I don’t see us moving anytime soon. Our financial budget is also much tighter these days (and thanks to the Reserve Bank’s interest rate policy, getting tighter all the time) so the option to buy new books isn’t really there now. Also, more recently, I have really gotten back into reading in a big way. I’ve always enjoyed reading but have struggled to find the time to do it, with it losing the free time battle against other pursuits like TV, internet, etc.

So, after ten years of library absenteeism, I once again walked into a book building. It was great! Wandering the aisles, seeing what might jump out at me. I put in a request to receive a book that was at another library. I used the catalogue to search for a book, then felt the excitement of scanning the shelves looking for the corresponding Dewey Decimal.

Now I am halfway through the first of three books I borrowed, and am excited about reading again. But I haven’t completely given up on the internet – you can track my reading at either www.shelfari.com/andrewcanion or http://www.librarything.com/profile/Splinky (I haven’t yet decided which of these two websites are better – any comments?)

marfs

Under duress, I took Dad to the library, but was also pleasantly surprised with my recent library experience. I too signed up, and have worked my way through a few books (not exactly highbrow, non-fiction either- hey I’m trying to loose myself!). I will be catching the bus to work soon and will definately not be lacking reading material any more!

PS Pamela Anderson books (all 2 of them) are a bit smutty!
Jennifer

Love of reading is a wonderful thing to have. I have just finished A Painted House by John Grisham. It was so very different from any of his other books that I have read. Enjoyed it very much. I haven’t been to the library here as yet but keep borrowing books from friends, and from the second hand shelves at Lynne’s shop. Well, that way I can tell the customers if it is a good read or not!
Mary (Mum)

I’m a big reader but I have to admit to not being a library user. I do have a membership of my library but have never used it in the five or six years since I took it out. I know I should, but I tend to buy after browsing (I agree it is an extravagance) and do a lot of swapping with friends. I find it so much easier to find something (too many things) of interest in a bookshop rather than being swamped by a lot of stuff I am not interested in when at the Library. My mother was an avid public library user and used it most effectively – taking note of books reviewed in the papers and then requesting them from the Library, rather than simply browsing. That is what I should get into the habit of doing. I really should get back in to the Library thing – partly because I think the public library is a major public benefit.